Gazebo Number One

[EddieWalker]

OK, now comes the real mystery. The Gazebos are octagonal, but the post footings are pentagonal.

When I come to visit, I will look at this for a long time and then my head will explode.

What is the reason? And I know you have one...

The footings are shaped to form an octogon on the outside edge. I brought the form back so it would be behind the C Channel, then ended it to create the five sides. If you draw a line from the outside tip of each footing, you get the Octogon shape of the gazebo.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

I built a stand to hold the logs, and started peeling bark. My Dad tried using the pressure washer, which did an OK job at getting the looser bark off, but it wasn't very good overall. A chisel works the best, but its slow going and kind of obsessive. Once you start, it's hard to stop!!!

Oscar likes to check out anything new, so he's always underfoot for a little bit, then he loses interest and goes off to play with the cat, or roll in the mud.

After the bark is removed, I cut it to 8 ft long and cut one side on the bottom so it's square. I need it to line up with the C channel, so it has to be flat for about 18 to 20 inches.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

Before I could install the post, I needed to drill the holes into the C Channel for the 3/4 inch bolts. I used my special drill, which made it fast and easy.

The bolts are designed for logs and have a special head on them that is easily twice as big compared to a carraige bolt. These are 3/4 in by 12 in long.

I used the Mule to carry the log to the gazebo site. Then I just tilted it up!!! I had the braces already screwd to the stakes, so it was real easy to attach them once the post was where I wanted it.

With the post locked into position, I drilled the 3/4 in holes through the logs from the hole in the C Channel. To get the head to be flush, I had to chisel around the hole to create a flat area for the head of the bolts.

I bought nuts with nylon inserts in them, which went on fairly easily with a 1 1/4 inch socket. I then put my breaker bar on it and really put some pressure on it to get it as tight as I could.

One log done, seven more to go!!!

Eddie

 

[CurlyDave]

One log done, seven more to go!!!

Eddie

It looks kind of lonely out there all by itself.

 

[radioman]

good start. How are you planning to do the floor? are you having it a few inches away from bottom of stones for snakes to hide in or a foot up in air to let air flow around to prevent rot and small animals to sleep in?

My neighbor where I grew up at first enclosed the bottom of floor with a shirt and within 2 years the floor started to rot. He replaced the floor and then added ports to let air in and out to prevent moisture buildup.

 

[EddieWalker]

The floor was going to be brick pavers, but after looking at a bunch of them, I've changed my mind to flagstones. The base rock will be leveled out and compacted so it's three inches below te bottom height of the posts. Then when everything else is done, includeing paint and stain, I will spread sand and lay the flagstones.

There will be a road in front of the gazeob, so the floor height has to be an inch above the grade of the road when that's done.

Of the eight openings, four of them, along the pasture side will be getting a metal railing that I will weld up as a sheer wall panel and fit into the logs. That's the next big step in the process, and what I hope will give me my structural strength.

Then on the pasture side, I will add quite a few yards of dirt from just below the height of the flagstones, and sloping away from the gazebo, into the pasture. If I use enough dirt, it should look natural and not erode on me.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

He has a friend now.

The process of cleaning off the bark, then sanding and shaping the logs is taking quite a bit longer then I expected. Each Cedar is unique, and I want each one to be perfect, so I'm going over them with the best sander, then the orbital sander. They are coming out very nice, bit its very time consuming.

Eddie

 

[bindian]

He has a friend now.

The process of cleaning off the bark, then sanding and shaping the logs is taking quite a bit longer then I expected. Each Cedar is unique, and I want each one to be perfect, so I'm going over them with the best sander, then the orbital sander. They are coming out very nice, bit its very time consuming.

Eddie

Eddie,
I inherited two draw knives from my Dad. They work well peeling posts and logs.
hugs, Brandi

 

[wedge40]

I have to admit Eddie those ceder logs sure are beautiful after you get done with them.
Can't wait to see the finished product.

Wedge

 

[looknlearn]

He has a friend now.

The process of cleaning off the bark, then sanding and shaping the logs is taking quite a bit longer then I expected. Each Cedar is unique, and I want each one to be perfect, so I'm going over them with the best sander, then the orbital sander. They are coming out very nice, bit its very time consuming.

Eddie

Looking good. I like the rustic look of those logs. Being a perfectionist has it advantages and disadvantages. It takes a longer being a perfectionist but if I did it, it would take half the time but the logs wouldn't be dressed near as well and the finished product wouldn't look near as good. Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[moored4]

Eddie, I'm surprised that you are not installing a waller in the middle of the floor for Oscar!

 

[beppington]

Eddie, I think you missed your calling: You know there are guys (& gals) on TV getting paid to document the building of things :thumbsup: While you're doin' it for free. Projects like a gazebo wouldn't be at all unusual on those shows, but a lake ... Never seen anybody make a lake on there yet

 

[EddieWalker]

Brandi,

The draw knives would only work on part of the logs. The problem, and best thing about the cedar logs is that there isn't a smooth or flat surface on them. The more they twist and turn, the better I like them. So far, a sharp 1 1/2 inch chisel seems to work the best at getting the bark off the way I like it.

Wedge,

Thank you. I'm kind of excited to see what it's going to look like also. I have a picture in my head, but it's already different then what I was thinking with just a few logs in place.

Tucker,

One of the best things about the cedar logs is you can do just about anything to them, then round it off with a sander and it looks natural. There is no right way to make them look, or is there a straight side or middle to them. Even getting them straight up in the air is a compromise. One side is going to be straighter then the other, and with all the angles they have, it's all about getting it close, walking around it from a distance and adjusting it till it looks "good"

moored4,

Oscars Waller is what the main view from the gazebo will be. It's a 3/4 acre pond that's full of catfish. Part of the reason for doing the gazebo now, is to finish off my front pasture and put Oscar in there. He's a lot of fun to have around, but he is also a non stop, mess making, pushing thing over and rubbing mud up against everything moster.

beppington,

Thank you. I like watching those shows, but can't imagine anybody wanting to watch me figure out what I'm doing when I'm making it up as I go along.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm up to four logs in place now. It's painfully slow going, but at least it's going. My Mom is helping me with scraping the bark off, which is a HUGE HELP, but the sanding is slow and tedius. The logs themselves pop into position easy enough. Drilling and bolting them is very simple.

Just four more to go, and a full schedule of work. I'm hoping to have them all in by the end of the weekend, but I'm not promising anything!!!!

Eddie

 

[dcyrilc]

I'm up to four logs in place now. It's painfully slow going, but at least it's going. My Mom is helping me with scraping the bark off, which is a HUGE HELP, but the sanding is slow and tedius. The logs themselves pop into position easy enough. Drilling and bolting them is very simple.

Just four more to go, and a full schedule of work. I'm hoping to have them all in by the end of the weekend, but I'm not promising anything!!!!

Eddie

Uhhh..... Eddie,

Unless your calander is different from mine......... This is the end of the weekend.

 

[groundcover]

That is going to be a knockout ! Good to see Oscar is doing well.

 

[Alan L.]

I'd love to have your energy level.

 

[EddieWalker]

Energy? what is that? LOL

I'm so wore out from sanding those logs out in the heat that I can't even sit in front of the TV and do nothing when I'm done. 97 degrees and hour after hour of sanding just plain wears me out!!!!!

Four more logs to go, and I'm looking for excuses to do just about anything else.

Eddie

 

[beppington]

beppington,

Thank you. I like watching those shows, but can't imagine anybody wanting to watch me figure out what I'm doing when I'm making it up as I go along.

I know what you mean, however I think what they do is just film everything, then take all the footage to a creative editor to (try) to cut out all the boring parts & make something interesting for a 1/2 hour show.

That's what they do on American Chopper, especially since Paul Jr. doesn't even do any design drawings for his bike creations. He stands around thinking & talking thru what he's gonna do with the bike, & then they show footage of it actually being done. You need an agent!!! :laughing: (no I'm not offering; wouldn't have a clue :laughing

 

[Western]

Energy? what is that? LOL

I'm so wore out from sanding those logs out in the heat that I can't even sit in front of the TV and do nothing when I'm done. 97 degrees and hour after hour of sanding just plain wears me out!!!!!

Four more logs to go, and I'm looking for excuses to do just about anything else.

Eddie

Well Eddie, It's a little hot, for the hot tub option!!. But then again. Of course you could strip down, grab a beer and a tube and float in Lake Maribou:thumbsup:

Going to look awesome, that's not at the "Y" where you where going to build the main station is it? looks more towards the lake.